Blog: Paying Mechanical Engineers

There are currently 296,810 mechanical engineers (MEs) employed in the United States, according to the most recent Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Profiles published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). They represent just 1.7 percent of the total number of workers employed as of May 2025 (the latest data released by the BLS).

The mean annual wage for mechanical engineers in the United States is $113,610, well above the national average. Workers in the top 10 percent earn an average annual wage of $164,340, while those in the bottom 10 percent earn $73,990 a year. 

Which industries employ the most MEs?

Many people might assume that most mechanical engineers work in machinery manufacturing. In fact, that sector ranks second, employing 29,420 mechanical engineers. It is architecture, engineering, and related services where you find the largest number of mechanical engineers, with 60,610 working in AE firms. 

According to “PSMJ’s 2026 Compensation Benchmark Results” whose intelligences includes the self-reporting compensation for engineers in professional service firms reports that the median salary for MEs with 10 to 14 years’ experience are earning $119,438, for those with 15 to 19 years $137,800; and those MEs with more than 20 years’ experience report compensation of $146,160. 

The rest of the top five industries by employment are scientific research and development services, with 21,390 MEs; the federal executive branch (made up of those working directly for the U.S. government) with 13,860; and aerospace product and parts manufacturing, with 12,060.

Energy-related sectors and waste management dominate the list of highest-paying industries for mechanical engineers. Oil and gas extraction leads at $169,020 annually, followed closely by natural gas distribution at $168,170. The rest of the top five include pipeline transportation of crude oil at $141,340, petroleum and coal products manufacturing at $140,600, and remediation and other waste management services at $138,030.

Top states for ME employment and wages

Michigan leads the nation in mechanical engineer employment, with 34,630 working in the state. It also has one of the highest concentrations of mechanical engineers, at 7.863 per 1,000 jobs.

California is close behind, with 30,530 mechanical engineers employed statewide. The rest of the top five by employment are Texas, with 22,080; Ohio, with 14,390; and Pennsylvania, with 13,550.

Among metropolitan areas, Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Mich., stands well ahead of the rest, with 22,500 mechanical engineers employed. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, Calif., metro area ranks second with 8,780.

Rounding out the top five metro areas for mechanical engineer employment are Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, Texas, with 8,310; New York-Newark-Jersey City, N.Y.-N.J., with 6,960; and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Ill.-Ind., with 6,900.

Among states, New Mexico leads in annual median pay for mechanical engineers at $157,710. The District of Columbia ranks second at $133,300. Rounding out the top five are California at $130,900, Delaware at $125,130, and Colorado at $124,430.

Among metro areas, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif., offers the highest annual median wage for mechanical engineers at $168,030. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif., follows at $161,370. The rest of the top five include Northern New Mexico at $157,710, Western Wyoming at $139,320, and Baton Rouge, La., at $135,530.

Cathy Cecere is membership content program manager.